Girls at Annapolis High School who are confronting various challenges will receive additional support at their afterschool program, Turning Point, through a community grant.
“The grant will help these girls with academic learning, life skills and cultural diversity,” said Karla Jenkins, who works on youth programs in the United Way of Central Maryland.
The girls will receive help from staff members, volunteers and guest speakers on drug, alcohol and tobacco; pregnancy prevention; teen-health issues; problem-solving methods and job searches, Jenkins said.
Turning Point, a program of the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, is one of three programs benefiting from the $60,000 grants awarded by the United Way of Central Maryland and JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The JCPenney aid helps after school initiatives that support students? academic, physical and social development, spokeswoman Nicole Falagrady said.
Monique Mills said she hopes the grant will allow her 7-year-old son, Diamontae Hart, to get more help with reading at Echo House Multiservice Center in Baltimore City.
“He likes to read about cars and trucks,” she said.
Her son attends the program with 40 Frederick Elementary School first- and second-graders.
Students also receive help with homework, therapy and learn about positive recreational activities, said Echo House Executive Director Janice Lockwood.
“Seventy-five percent of kids in this neighborhood drop out of school,” she said.
“And only 3 percent go onto some post-secondary education. So school is not a priority for many of them.”
The Boy Scouts? Baltimore Area Council plans to use the grant for the Learning for Life curriculum, which focuses on reading, math, writing, science and language arts. Participants will learn about critical and creative thinking, decision making, interpersonal relationships, practical living skills and self-esteem.
Together, all three programs serve around 270 students.
